Multi-solver algorithms for the partitioned simulation of fluid–structure interaction

In partitioned fluid–structure interaction simulations, the flow equations and the structural equations are solved separately. As a result, a coupling algorithm is needed to enforce the equilibrium on the fluid–structure interface in cases with strong interaction. This coupling algorithm performs coupling iterations between the solver of the flow equations and the solver of the structural equations. Current coupling algorithms couple one flow solver with one structural solver. Here, a new class of multi-solver quasi-Newton coupling algorithms for unsteady fluid–structure interaction simulations is presented. More than one flow solver and more than one structural solver are used for a single simulation. The numerical experiments demonstrate that the duration of a simulation decreases as the number of solvers is increased.